Life under quarantine

In the first of a two-part series, the ‘Taipei Times’ examines the long and complex history of Losheng Sanatorium and the life inside it through the eyes of its residents

By Ho Yi / Staff reporter

“Once in a while, the clergyman’s wife would bring our babies to the chapel for us to see. When the children grew older, we were allowed to visit them at the children’s home,” says Chou.

The discrimination that lepers were subjected to was also felt by their children, who were forced to face insults and bullying when growing up.

“Even today, there are residents who don’t want others to know about their children, fearing that it may bring them trouble. There are also people who don’t want friends and co-workers to know about their parents and their lives at Losheng,” says Chen.